LETTER: Two key lessons

Published: Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 05:01 PM.

We take two important lessons from the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria. First, mind our own business when a foreign issue does not threaten America’s national interests. Second, see again why our founding fathers ranked gun ownership so high among our personal rights.
The schoolgirls issue may be heart-wrenching, but it does not involve America. In fact, there’s strong suspicion the girls were taken in hopes that America would send some sort of rescue mission.
Muslim extremists want America involved, as that would present another opportunity to exact payback for the mayhem we have brought the Muslim world. American troops massing in another Muslim country would be a magnet for well-armed al-Qaida sympathizers hoping to spill more American blood.
As for the second lesson, one of the main reasons local Nigerians did not defend their daughters against these kidnappers was that they had no weapons. In an effort to disarm Boko Haram, the government had confiscated all private guns and ammo. Anyone found to possess even a few bullets was presumed to be a terrorist and was dealt with accordingly. No one dared keep a gun.
Don’t let that happen here in America. Remember, the lawless element of society will always be armed. When guns are outlawed, only law-abiding citizens will comply. Outlaws will keep their guns.
In fact, an argument can be made that every law-abiding citizen should own and be proficient with a personal defense weapon. The occasional accident or berserker incident may happen, but that’s the price of freedom.

— BOB REID
Niceville

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We take two important lessons from the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria. First, mind our own business when a foreign issue does not threaten America’s national interests. Second, see again why our founding fathers ranked gun ownership so high among our personal rights.
The schoolgirls issue may be heart-wrenching, but it does not involve America. In fact, there’s strong suspicion the girls were taken in hopes that America would send some sort of rescue mission.
Muslim extremists want America involved, as that would present another opportunity to exact payback for the mayhem we have brought the Muslim world. American troops massing in another Muslim country would be a magnet for well-armed al-Qaida sympathizers hoping to spill more American blood.
As for the second lesson, one of the main reasons local Nigerians did not defend their daughters against these kidnappers was that they had no weapons. In an effort to disarm Boko Haram, the government had confiscated all private guns and ammo. Anyone found to possess even a few bullets was presumed to be a terrorist and was dealt with accordingly. No one dared keep a gun.
Don’t let that happen here in America. Remember, the lawless element of society will always be armed. When guns are outlawed, only law-abiding citizens will comply. Outlaws will keep their guns.
In fact, an argument can be made that every law-abiding citizen should own and be proficient with a personal defense weapon. The occasional accident or berserker incident may happen, but that’s the price of freedom.